Axially engaging clutch



Dec. 6, 1949 G, R ASCHAUER 2,490,398

AXIALLY ENGAGING CLUTCH Filed Oct. 31, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l JJ' (Mffey.

DeC- 6, 1949 G. R. AscHAuER 2,490,398

XILLY ENGAGING CLUTCH Filed oct. s1, 194s s sheetspsheet z Dec. 6, 1949 s. R. AszHAuER amm momma cLu'rcu 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 51, 1945 -1. --.ill

Q. n su. mv, um v -Nov /f e vv Patened Dec; 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AXIALLY ENGAGING CLUTCH Application October 3i., 1945, Serial No. 625,714

My invention relates to clutches and more particularly to a, device of this type which is mechanically or positively actuated into driving .position, as contrasted with clutches of the spring loaded type.

One object of my invention is to devise a. clutch of the plate type having operating mechanism for mechanically engaging the same which tends to release under the impulse of centrifugal force so that the clutch runs free in the disengaged position.

A further object is the provision of an operating mechanism having levers which are characterized 'by a floating or wandering action. as oompared with the usual xed pivot construction. thus enabling the levers to position themsevles for the easiest operation possible.

A further object is to Iprovide a clutch of the type indicated which is characterized by compactness, a high degree of efficiency. a capacity for being embodied in various specific adaptations to meet different operating conditions, and which is susceptible of rapid production due to the fact that numerous parts are either simple castings, or capable of automatic manufacture.

Additional objects are the securement in a compact clutch structure of an adequate mechanical advantage in the operating mechanism for insuring the application of the required clamping pressure, ease of adjustment as the plates wear, and a positive release of the clutch levers during disengagement.

A further object is to devise a clutch having a novel arrangement for locking the adjusting ring in adjusted position.

These and further objects of the invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. and the novel means by which said objects are eiectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of one form of the improved clutch in engaged position as taken along the line I-l in Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation oi the clutch similar to Fig. 1 showing the same in release position.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the clutch looking in .the direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the adjusting ring shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of clutch in engaged position as taken along the line 6--6 in Fig. '7.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the modified clutch looking in the direction of the arrow 'I in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the modified clutch in release position.

3 Claims. (Ci. isz-69) Referring to Figs. l to 5, inclusive, the numeral Il designates a. hub which is keyed to a shaft II and which, in the present instance, will be regarded as the driven member of the clutch, although the construction is not limited in this respect, since the hub Ill may be utilized as the driving member without interiering with the etilcient and positive operation of the clutch. The 'periphery of the hub is provided with a plurality of keyways I2 that are preferably circumferentially equispaced and also -at the left end, as viewed In Fig. 1, with an annular channel I3 in which is seated a split ring I4 that constitutes an abutment for a clamping plate I5. The plate I5 is provided with teeth I6 that fit into the keyways I2 so that the plate rotates with the hub I0, but may shift endwise thereof.

The plate i5 -frictionally engages with one side of a driving plate I1 that is peripherally toothed at Ili for driven engagement with an internally toothed, driving ring (not shown) that may be secured to a flywheel or other power source. The driving plate I1 may be molded from a frictional material, but may also be arranged as a metallic plate having frictional facings on its opposite sides. The opposite surface of the plate II is engaged by a second clamping plate I9 that is formed like the plate I5 and has the same operative relation to the hub I0.

One novel feature of this design resides in the operating mechanism which comprises a plurality of clutch levers 20, each of which is mounted in one of the keyways I2. Each lever, at the end adjacent the clam-ping plate I5, has its end face shaped with a ridge-like formation 2| and is .further provided with a radially outward, eX- tending nose 22, while the opposite end is bifurcated at 23 to receive a roller 24 mounted on a pintle 25 'bridged between the jaws of the bifurcation. An L-shaped spring 2i has its wings respectively bearing against the floor of the assoclated'keyway and the surface of the roller 24 between the jaws of the bifurcated end of the lever and always tends to move the lever to the release position shown in Fig. 2. Between its ends, the lever is substantially straight and has a free, sliding tit in .the associated keyway and its width radially of the clutch is such that, except for the nose 22. each lever is generally housed in one of the keyways. At the nose end, each lever is further provided with a guide boss 21 which rides on the floor of the cooperating keyway during its movements.

In the engaged position shown in Fig. l, the ridges 2i bear against the clamping plate I8 while the noses 22 bear against the recessed face 28 of an adjusting ring 29 that is threaded on the hub I0. The forming of the face 28 creates an annular flange 30 on the adjusting ring that extends towards the plate I9 in partially enclosing relation to the outer ends oi' the noses and assists in retaining the levers Il in the keyways I2 against centrifugal movement. Further, this construction, in conjunction with the plate I9. limits endwise movements of the levers, but, within these limits, the levers are capable of moving with a free, rocking action relative to the ring 2l and plate I I since they are not restrained by any xed pivot connection to the hub il.

In order to maintain the ring 29 in adjusted position. it is provided with an internal, annular groove 3i (see Figs. i, 4 and 5) and positioned in this groove is a semi-circular strip 32 whose ends are slightly spread and abut the walls of a pair oi' diametrically opposed holes 33-28 formed in the ring, these walls sewing as ledges for the ends of the strip 32. The major portion of the length of the strip 32 is forced into locking contact with the threaded part of the hub II by a set screw 34 positioned radially of the ring 29, the strip bridging between its ends and having suillcient resiliency to free itself from the threads when the screw 34 is retracted preliminary to moving the ring to a new position. The strip I2 suillciently distributes the pressure of the set screw I4 over the coacting threads so that the latter are not injured, while the holes 23 may be engaged by any tool for rotating the adjusting fins As a further means for restraining the levers against outward movement and for actuating the levers, a collar I5 encircles the hub l0, including the levers 2l, and the inner periphery of the collar is shaped as a ilat, annular surface Isa which provides a bearing on the hub. The end face of the collar I5 adjacent the ring 20 ls sloped or inclined outwardly as at IB to facilitate engagement with the rollers 24 as hereinafter described. Endwise shifting of the collar along the hub is secured by means of ring segments II-ll (see Figs. l and 3) which are bolted together and each of which carries a trunnlon 38 which is engaged in the usual manner by a shifting fork (not shown).

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the clutch is in driving position. 'I'he adjusting ring ilange 30 which partially encloses the lever noses 22 and the collar IB which engages the rollers 24 restrain the levers against outward movement, while the collar additionally maintains the levers in the clamping positions shown, i. e., the ridges 2| bearing against the clamping plate I! and the noses 22 iulcruming against the face 2li of the adjusting ring which acts as an abutment for the adjacent ends of the levers.

To release the clutch, the collar 35 is moved towards the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the levers rock and each assumes the position shown in the last figure, the releasing action of the levers being assisted by the springs 28. The lever ridges 2| are freed from the clamping plate so that the latter separates from the driving plate i1. The releasing movement of the collar` is limited by the annular stop 38 provided on the hub Il.

In engaging the clutch, the collar 35 is moved towards the left from the position shown in Fig. 2; thus engaging the rollers 24 with the inclined end face 3i of the collar 35. The levers are accordingly rocked inwardly of the clutch with the noses 22 fulcruming on the adjusting ring face 2l and the lever ridges 2| bearing against and moving the clamping plate I9 to gripping' position. As the driving plate l1 wears, the required adjustment can be easily effected by the 4 ring 2l which is moved to maintain the desired iulcruming relation with the lever noses 22.

Due to the fact that the levers 20 can move freely ln the keyways l2, they readily accommodate themselves to the several positions required in the operation oi the clutch. thus avoiding any undue strain on the several parts. The construction is very compact and the lever arm relation in each lever between the ridge 2| and the nose 22 and the roller 24 provides a high mechanical advantage in operating the clutch.

In Figs. 6, 'l and 8 is illustrated a modiiled form of clutch which essentially diil'erentiates from that described above in that the shifting collar is not mounted on the hub. but on the shaft to which the hub is secured. In this design, the driving plate 4l is in the driving position of the clutch gripped between a ange 4l that is integral with a huh 42 and an internally toothed pressure plate 4l that is axially movable relative to and drivably engaged with a peripherally toothed portion 44 on the hub. The hub is keyed to a shaft 4l.

The operating mechanism comprises a plurality of levers 4l spaced around the hub, each being generally similar to the lever 2li and having its end tace adjacent the pressure plate 43 shaped with a ridge-like formation 4l and is further provided with a radially outward, extending nose 48, while the opposite end is bifurcated at 4| to receive a roller lll mounted on a pintle Si. The lever is further provided with a guide boss l2 which rides on a smooth, peripheral shoulder II on the hub.

An adiusting ring I4 of substantially T-section has the inner face oi the radial portion 55 of the section threaded on the hub 42 while the wings of the section form oppositely extending, circumferential anges ii and Il, the former ilange being directed towards the pressure plate 43. These adjusting ring flanges are disposed in enclosing relation to the levers 48 and the radial portion Il of the ring is slotted in approprlate locations. as at Il, and a lever 46 is freely movable radially ln each oi' these slots but moves rotarily with the hub.

In the engaged position shown in Fig. 6, the ridges 41 bear against the pressure plate 43 while the noses 4l bear against a face 59 that is recessed in the end oi' the ring ilange 5B. Due to the enclosing relation of the ring flange 5B to the noses 4l, the levers are held against centrifugal movement. while the face 59 in conjunction with the pressure plate Il limit endwise movements of the levers. However, within there limits, the levers are capable of a free, rocking movement relative to the ring 54 and pressure plate 43 since they do not have any nxed pivot connection to the hub 42.

The levers 4I are actuated by a collar 60 that is keyed to and slidable along the shaft 45 and is preferably integrally formed with a cup-shaped flange Il whose outside diameter is such that it may be moved in telescopic relation to the nange 51 on the adjusting ring, while its inside diameter is arranged so that the flange El can ride over the rollers 5I when in the released position shown in Fig. 8 and rock them inwardly of the clutch. Endwise shifting of the collar 6D along the shaft is secured by means of ring segments 82-82 which are boltedtogether and each of which carries a trunnlon Bl which is engaged in the usual manner by a shifting fork (not shown).

The general operation of the clutch shown in Fig. 6 is identical with that illustrated in Fig. l,

accesos the levers 46 fulcruming on the adjusting ring with the ridges 41 thereof pressing against the pressure plate 43 when the clutch is engaged. During release, the collar is moved towards the right to the approximate position shown in Fig. 8, whereupon the levers 46 rock outwardly under the impulse of centrifugal force and relieve the pressure plate. This releasing action may be assisted by a plurality of helical springs 04 which are equispaced circumferentially of the clutch and each of which seats in appropriate pockets provided in the hub flange 0i and the pressure plate 43. During all movements of the levers, it will be noted that they are substantially housed within the adjusting ring 54 which additionally insures their rotation with the hub. As the friction elements of the clutch wear, the necessary take-up to maintain the operative relation of the levers to the pressure plate 43 and adjusting ring 54 is effected by rotating the ring. The ring may be held in adjusted position by any of the expedients commonly employed for this purpose in clutches, such as, for example, the spring actuated, locking pin shown in United States Letters Patent No. 1,685,502.

One of the most important features of both modiications is the relatively low cost of construction. In both types, the levers may be made from forgings or castings; the clamping plates in the Fig. 1 modification are duplicates, while the adjusting rings, hubs and shifting co1- lars in both modications are susceptible of automatic manufacture.

I claim:

l. In a clutch, the combination of a friction plate, a clamping plate arranged to engage the friction plate, a hub to which the clamping plate is connected for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto, an adjusting ring mounted on and encircling the hub and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots, clutch levers disposed around the hub and free of any connection thereto, and bodily movable relative to the ring each lever extending through and fitting a slot whereby the levers rotate with the ring, and means movable towards the clamping plate for actuating the levers to engage the clutch. the ring being positioned between the clamping plate and actuating means and one end of each lever fulcruming against the ring l0 and a lever part adjacent thereto pressing against the clamping plate.

2. In a clutch, the combination of a friction date. a clamping plate arranged to engage the friction plate, a hub to which the clamping plate is connected for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto, an adjusting ring mounted on and encircling the hub and having a plurality of eiroumferentially spaced slots, clutch levers disposed around the hub and free of any connection thereto, and bodily movable relative to the ring each lever extending through and tting a slot whereby the levers rotate with the ring, and means slidable towards the clamping plate for actuating the levers to engage the clutch, the ring being positioned between the clamping plate and actuating means and one end of each lever fulcruming against the ring and a lever part adjacent thereto pressing against the clamping plate.

3. In a clutch, the combination of a friction plate, a clamping plate arranged to engage the friction plate, a shaft, a hub secured to the shaft, the clamping plate being connected to the hub for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto. an adjusting ring mounted on and encircling the hub and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots, clutch levers disposed around the hub and free of any connection thereto and bodily movable relative to the ring each lever extending through and fitting a slot whereby the levers rotate with the ring, and means slldable on the shaft towards the clamping plate for actuating the levers to engage the clutch, the ring being positioned between the clamping plate and actuating means and one end of each lever fulcruming against the ring and a. lever part adjacent thereto pressing against the clamping plate.

GEORGE R. ASCHAUER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi' record in the leof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

